Stator vane platform with flanges

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a gas turbine engine that includes a plurality of stator vanes. Each of the stator vanes includes an airfoil section and a platform provided at an end of the airfoil section. The platforms are provided with flanges on opposed ends thereof, and the flanges are fastened to corresponding flanges of an adjacent one of the plurality of stator vanes.

BACKGROUND

Gas turbine engines typically include a compressor section, a combustor section and a turbine section. During operation, air is pressurized in the compressor section and is mixed with fuel and burned in the combustor section to generate hot combustion gases. The hot combustion gases are communicated through the turbine section, which extracts energy from the hot combustion gases to power the compressor section and other gas turbine engine loads.

Both the compressor and turbine sections may include alternating series of rotating blades and stationary vanes that extend into the core flow path of the gas turbine engine. For example, in the turbine section, turbine blades rotate and extract energy from the hot combustion gases that are communicated along the core flow path of the gas turbine engine. The turbine vanes, which generally do not rotate, guide the airflow and prepare it for the next set of blades.

In turbine vane design, there is an emphasis on stress-resistant airfoil and platform designs, with reduced losses, increased lift and turning efficiency, and improved turbine performance and service life.

SUMMARY

In one exemplary embodiment, a gas turbine engine includes a plurality of stator vanes. Each of the plurality of stator vanes includes an airfoil section and a platform provided at an end of the airfoil section. The platform is provided with flanges on opposed ends thereof, and the flanges re fastened to corresponding flanges of an adjacent one of the plurality of stator vanes.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the flanges are provided on circumferential ends of the platform.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, a length dimension of the flanges is provided in a direction generally parallel to an engine central longitudinal axis.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the flanges include inner and outer faces generally perpendicular the platform.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the flanges are fastened to one another such that the outer faces of the flanges directly abut one another.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the flanges include openings configured to receive fasteners.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the fasteners include at least one of bolts, pins, and springs.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the fasteners fasten adjacent flanges to one another.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the fasteners fasten the flanges to a static structure of the gas turbine engine via a respective coupling.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the gas turbine engine includes at least one resilient member connected to the flange and to the platform to reduce bending of the flange.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, at least one of the plurality of stator vanes is made of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, each of the plurality of stator vanes includes a first platform at a radially outer end of the airfoil section, and a second platform at a radially inner end of the airfoil section, each of the first and second platforms provided with flanges on opposed ends thereof, wherein the flanges associated with the first platform are fastened to flanges of a first platform of an adjacent stator vane, and the flanges associated with the second platform are not fastened to the flanges of an adjacent stator vane to allow the second platform to be radially free.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the gas turbine engine includes a compressor section, a combustor section, and a turbine section, the turbine section including a stationary stage, the stator vanes provided in the stationary stage.

In another exemplary embodiment, a stator vane for a gas turbine engine includes an airfoil section and a platform provided at an end of the airfoil section. The platform has a fore end, an aft end, and circumferential ends. The platform further includes flanges provided on the circumferential ends, and the flanges are configured to abut flanges of a similar stator vane.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the airfoil section is provided generally along a radial direction.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the flanges are provided such that a length thereof is generally perpendicular to the radial direction.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, each flange includes at least one opening for receiving a fastener.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the stator vane is a singlet.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, at least a portion of the stator vane is made of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material.

In a further embodiment of any of the above, the flanges are integrally formed with the stator vane.

These and other features of the present disclosure can be best understood from the following drawings and detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings can be briefly described as follows:

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a gas turbine engine embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view through a high pressure turbine section.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example stator vane.

FIG. 4 is an example stage of the gas turbine engine, showing a plurality of stator vanes.

FIGS. 5A-5B schematically illustrate examples for fastening adjacent stator vanes to one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example gas turbine engine 20 that includes a fan section 22, a compressor section 24, a combustor section 26 and a turbine section 28. Alternative engines might include an augmenter section (not shown) among other systems or features. The fan section 22 drives air along a bypass flow path B while the compressor section 24 draws air in along a core flow path C where air is compressed and communicated to a combustor section 26. In the combustor section 26, air is mixed with fuel and ignited to generate a high pressure exhaust gas stream that expands through the turbine section 28 where energy is extracted and utilized to drive the fan section 22 and the compressor section 24.

Although the disclosed non-limiting embodiment depicts a turbofan gas turbine engine, it should be understood that the concepts described herein are not limited to use with turbofans as the teachings may be applied to other types of turbine engines; for example a turbine engine including a three-spool architecture in which three spools concentrically rotate about a common axis and where a low spool enables a low pressure turbine to drive a fan via a gearbox, an intermediate spool that enables an intermediate pressure turbine to drive a first compressor of the compressor section, and a high spool that enables a high pressure turbine to drive a high pressure compressor of the compressor section. The concepts disclosed herein can further be applied outside of gas turbine engines, such as in the context of wind turbines.

The example engine 20 generally includes a low speed spool 30 and a high speed spool 32 mounted for rotation about an engine central longitudinal axis X relative to an engine static structure 36 via several bearing systems 38. It should be understood that various bearing systems 38 at various locations may alternatively or additionally be provided.

The low speed spool 30 generally includes an inner shaft 40 that connects a fan 42 and a low pressure (or first) compressor section 44 to a low pressure (or first) turbine section 46. The inner shaft 40 drives the fan 42 through a speed change device, such as a geared architecture 48, to drive the fan 42 at a lower speed than the low speed spool 30. The high-speed spool 32 includes an outer shaft 50 that interconnects a high pressure (or second) compressor section 52 and a high pressure (or second) turbine section 54. The inner shaft 40 and the outer shaft 50 are concentric and rotate via the bearing systems 38 about the engine central longitudinal axis X.

A combustor 56 is arranged between the high pressure compressor 52 and the high pressure turbine 54. In one example, the high pressure turbine 54 includes at least two stages to provide a double stage high pressure turbine 54. In another example, the high pressure turbine 54 includes only a single stage. As used herein, a “high pressure” compressor or turbine experiences a higher pressure than a corresponding “low pressure” compressor or turbine.

The example low pressure turbine 46 has a pressure ratio that is greater than about five (5). The pressure ratio of the example low pressure turbine 46 is measured prior to an inlet of the low pressure turbine 46 as related to the pressure measured at the outlet of the low pressure turbine 46 prior to an exhaust nozzle.

A mid-turbine frame 57 of the engine static structure 36 is arranged generally between the high pressure turbine 54 and the low pressure turbine 46. The mid-turbine frame 57 further supports bearing systems 38 in the turbine section 28 as well as setting airflow entering the low pressure turbine 46.

The core airflow C is compressed by the low pressure compressor 44 then by the high pressure compressor 52 mixed with fuel and ignited in the combustor 56 to produce high speed exhaust gases that are then expanded through the high pressure turbine 54 and low pressure turbine 46. The mid-turbine frame 57 includes vanes 59, which are in the core airflow path and function as an inlet guide vane for the low pressure turbine 46. Utilizing the vane 59 of the mid-turbine frame 57 as the inlet guide vane for low pressure turbine 46 decreases the length of the low pressure turbine 46 without increasing the axial length of the mid-turbine frame 57. Reducing or eliminating the number of vanes in the low pressure turbine 46 shortens the axial length of the turbine section 28. Thus, the compactness of the gas turbine engine 20 is increased and a higher power density may be achieved.

The disclosed gas turbine engine 20 in one example is a high-bypass geared aircraft engine. In a further example, the gas turbine engine 20 includes a bypass ratio greater than about six (6), with an example embodiment being greater than about ten (10). The example geared architecture 48 is an epicyclical gear train, such as a planetary gear system, star gear system or other known gear system, with a gear reduction ratio of greater than about 2.3.

In one disclosed embodiment, the gas turbine engine 20 includes a bypass ratio greater than about ten (10:1) and the fan diameter is significantly larger than an outer diameter of the low pressure compressor 44. It should be understood, however, that the above parameters are only exemplary of one embodiment of a gas turbine engine including a geared architecture and that the present disclosure is applicable to other gas turbine engines.

A significant amount of thrust is provided by the bypass flow B due to the high bypass ratio. The fan section 22 of the engine 20 is designed for a particular flight condition—typically cruise at about 0.8 Mach and about 35,000 feet. The flight condition of 0.8 Mach and 35,000 ft., with the engine at its best fuel consumption—also known as “bucket cruise Thrust Specific Fuel Consumption (‘TSFC’)”—is the industry standard parameter of pound-mass (lbm) of fuel per hour being burned divided by pound-force (lbf) of thrust the engine produces at that minimum point.

“Low fan pressure ratio” is the pressure ratio across the fan blade alone, without a Fan Exit Guide Vane (“FEGV”) system. The low fan pressure ratio as disclosed herein according to one non-limiting embodiment is less than about 1.50. In another non-limiting embodiment the low fan pressure ratio is less than about 1.45.

“Low corrected fan tip speed” is the actual fan tip speed in ft/sec divided by an industry standard temperature correction of [(Tram° R)/(518.7° R)]^(0.5). The “Low corrected fan tip speed”, as disclosed herein according to one non-limiting embodiment, is less than about 1150 ft/second.

The example gas turbine engine includes the fan 42 that comprises in one non-limiting embodiment less than about twenty-six (26) fan blades. In another non-limiting embodiment, the fan section 22 includes less than about twenty (20) fan blades. Moreover, in one disclosed embodiment the low pressure turbine 46 includes no more than about six (6) turbine rotors schematically indicated at 34. In another non-limiting example embodiment the low pressure turbine 46 includes about three (3) turbine rotors. A ratio between the number of fan blades 42 and the number of low pressure turbine rotors is between about 3.3 and about 8.6. The example low pressure turbine 46 provides the driving power to rotate the fan section 22 and therefore the relationship between the number of turbine rotors 34 in the low pressure turbine 46 and the number of blades 42 in the fan section 22 disclose an example gas turbine engine 20 with increased power transfer efficiency.

Referring to FIG. 2, a cross-sectional view through a high pressure turbine section 54 is illustrated. In the example high pressure turbine section 54, a first stage array 54 a of circumferentially spaced fixed vanes 60 is included. A first stage array 54 b of circumferentially spaced turbine blades 64, mounted to a rotor disk 68, is arranged axially downstream of the first fixed vane array 54 a.

The turbine blades each include a tip 80 adjacent to a blade outer air seal 70 of a case structure 72. The first stage array 54 b of turbine blades are arranged within a core flow path C and are operatively connected to a spool 32.

Each vane 60 includes an inner platform 74 and an outer platform 76 respectively defining inner and outer flow paths. The platforms 74, 76 are interconnected by an airfoil section 78 extending in a radial direction Z. It should be understood that the turbine vanes may be discrete from one another or arranged in integrated clusters. The airfoil section 78 includes leading and trailing edges 82, 84.

The airfoil section 78 is provided between pressure (concave) and suction (convex) sides 85, 87 in an airfoil thickness direction, which is generally perpendicular to a chord-wise direction provided between the leading and trailing edges 82, 84 (FIG. 3). Multiple turbine vanes 60 are arranged circumferentially in a circumferential direction R. The airfoil section 78 typically includes multiple cooling holes (not shown).

In one example, the first stage array 54 a consists of 32 turbine vanes 60, but the number may vary according to engine size. The turbine vanes 60 in one example are formed of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material. As is known in this art, a CMC material is one that includes fibers (such as carbon, silicon or glass fibers, as example) supported within a ceramic matrix.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example stator vane 60. In this example, the stator vane 60 is a singlet, meaning the stator vane 60 includes only one airfoil section 78. This disclosure is not limited to singlets, it may be doublets, triplets etc., however. Further, while the example stator vane 60 is shown in FIG. 2 in the high pressure turbine section 54, one would understand that this disclosure can be used in other sections of the engine 20 such as the mid-turbine frame 57.

In this example, the airfoil section 78 is connected to both an inner platform 74 and an outer platform 76. The inner and outer platforms 74, 76 each respectively include a fore end 74F, 76F, an aft end 74A, 76A, and circumferential ends 74C, 76C (relative to the circumferential direction R in FIG. 4). As one would appreciate, the terms “fore,” “aft,” and “circumferential” are made with the normal operational attitude of the stator vane 60. In this example, flanges 90 are provided on opposite circumferential ends 74C, 76C of both the inner platform 74 and the outer platform 76.

Each of the flanges 90 is provided with an inner face 901, an outer face 90F, and a plurality of openings 92 therein. The inner and outer faces 901, 90F extend radially in the Z direction and are generally perpendicular to the respective inner and outer platform 74, 76. Further, each of the openings 92 are configured to receive fasteners 94 (illustrated schematically in FIGS. 5A-5B) to fasten adjacent stator vanes 60 together, and to fasten the stator vanes 60 to a support structure, such as the engine static structure 36 (FIG. 4).

With continued reference to FIG. 3, flanges 90 are provided such that their length dimension L runs in a direction generally parallel to the engine central longitudinal axis X, and generally perpendicular to the radial direction Z along the circumferential ends 74C, 76C of the platforms 74, 76.

In one example, the stator vane 60 is made of a CMC material, and the flanges 90 are formed integrally with the stator vane 60 during a molding process. Because the stator vanes 60 are formed of a CMC material, they are suitable for use in the high pressure turbine section 54, however this disclosure is not limited to a particular section of the gas turbine engine 20.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example arrangement of a stationary stage of the gas turbine engine 20, here the first stage array 54 a. In the example, stator vanes 60 are fastened together with adjacent, similar stator vanes 60 (e.g., the stator vanes 60 each include platforms 74, 76 configured for circumferential attachment, as illustrated) such that outer faces 90F of the flanges 90 directly abut one another in a circumferential direction R, relative to the engine central longitudinal axis X, such that the outer faces 90F directly abut one another. This arrangement provides the first stage array 54 a with a relatively high hoop stiffness in the circumferential direction R, which reduces deflection of the inner and outer platforms 74, 76 and maintains the overall stability of the first stage array 54 a.

The adjacent stator vanes 60 can further be configured to carry a seal therebetween, for example, at a point between adjacent stator vanes 60 (illustrated at 100) to prevent leakage between the adjacent stator vanes 60.

FIGS. 5A-5B schematically illustrate examples for fastening adjacent stator vanes 60 together. In particular, FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate examples where fasteners 94, which could be nuts and bolts, are used to fasten the adjacent stator vanes 60 together. In situations where the vanes and bolts are different materials, the fasteners 94 can include beveled, or spring, washers to maintain a preload while accommodating differences in thermal growth. The fasteners 94 further tie the stator vanes 60 to couplings 95A-95B such that the adjacent stator vanes are tied together. The couplings 95A-95B essentially can act as washers and further ensure a close connection between adjacent stator vanes 60. The outer coupling 95A is connected to an engine static structure 36 in one example.

With further reference to FIGS. 5A-5B, and also with reference to FIG. 3, the fasteners 94 are positioned within the openings 92 of adjacent flanges 90 such that the fasteners 94 are outside the gas flowpath. Thus, exposure of the fasteners 94 to exhaust gases is reduced.

With continued reference to FIGS. 5A-5B, resilient members 99 are positioned against the outer platform 76 (FIG. 5A) and optionally against the inner platform (FIG. 5B) as well. The resilient members 99 further ensure an adequate connection between the adjacent stator vanes 60 by providing additional support to the flanges 90, which aids in taking the load off of the fasteners 94 and further reduces bending of the flanges 90, in particular in the right and left relative to FIG. 5A.

In an alternate configuration from those shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the flanges 90 adjacent the outer platform 76 are fastened together while the flanges 90 adjacent the inner platform 74 are not fastened together. This allows the inner platforms 74 to move freely in a radial direction, and thus can prevent fighting between the adjacent stator vanes 60, and reduces stresses experienced thereby.

Although the different examples have the specific components shown in the illustrations, embodiments of this disclosure are not limited to those particular combinations. It is possible to use some of the components or features from one of the examples in combination with features or components from another one of the examples.

One of ordinary skill in this art would understand that the above-described embodiments are exemplary and non-limiting. That is, modifications of this disclosure would come within the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A gas turbine engine, comprising: a plurality of stator vanes, each of the plurality of stator vanes including an airfoil section and a platform provided at an end of the airfoil section, the platform provided with flanges on opposed ends thereof, the flanges being fastened to corresponding flanges of an adjacent one of the plurality of stator vanes.
 2. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 1, wherein the flanges are provided on circumferential ends of the platform.
 3. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 2, wherein a length dimension of the flanges is provided in a direction generally parallel to an engine central longitudinal axis.
 4. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 3, wherein the flanges include inner and outer faces generally perpendicular the platform.
 5. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 4, wherein the flanges are fastened to one another such that the outer faces of the flanges directly abut one another.
 6. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 5, wherein the flanges include openings configured to receive fasteners.
 7. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 6, wherein the fasteners include at least one of bolts, pins, and springs.
 8. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 6, wherein the fasteners fasten adjacent flanges to one another.
 9. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 6, wherein the fasteners fasten the flanges to a static structure of the gas turbine engine via a respective coupling.
 10. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 6, including at least one resilient member connected to the flange and to the platform to reduce bending of the flange.
 11. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of stator vanes is made of a ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material.
 12. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 1, further including a compressor section, a combustor section, and a turbine section, the turbine section including a stationary stage, the stator vanes provided in the stationary stage.
 13. The gas turbine engine as recited in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of stator vanes includes a first platform at a radially outer end of the airfoil section, and a second platform at a radially inner end of the airfoil section, each of the first and second platforms provided with flanges on opposed ends thereof, wherein the flanges associated with the first platform are fastened to flanges of a first platform of an adjacent stator vane, and the flanges associated with the second platform are not fastened to the flanges of an adjacent stator vane to allow the second platform to be radially free.
 14. A stator vane for a gas turbine engine, comprising: an airfoil section; a platform provided at an end of the airfoil section, the platform having a fore end, an aft end, and circumferential ends, the platform including flanges provided on the circumferential ends, the flanges configured to abut flanges of a similar stator vane.
 15. The stator vane as recited in claim 14, wherein the airfoil section is provided generally along a radial direction.
 16. The stator vane as recited in claim 15, wherein the flanges are provided such that a length thereof is generally perpendicular to the radial direction.
 17. The stator vane as recited in claim 14, wherein each flange includes at least one opening for receiving a fastener.
 18. The stator vane as recited in claim 14, wherein the stator vane is a singlet.
 19. The stator vane as recited in claim 14, wherein at least a portion of the stator vane is made of ceramic matrix composite (CMC) material.
 20. The stator vane as recited in claim 14, wherein the flanges are integrally formed with the stator vane. 